Top 6 Mountain Lakes of Kyrgyzstan

8 days / 7 nights

Dates 2026

June 20 – 27 July 18 – 25 August 08 – 15 September 05 – 12

Who this tour is for

This is a very intensive tour featuring the maximum possible number of the most beautiful gorges, lakes, and canyons along the route. The tour is designed for active people who are ready for long mountain drives, physical activity, and active trekking; for those who love mountains and wild nature; and for travelers eager to discover new, unusual regions and locations.

How the tour goes

Throughout the tour, we will travel by a comfortable minibus to the most beautiful mountain lakes and canyons of northern Kyrgyzstan.
We will do a lot of walking on radial hikes, visit 6 mountain lakes, see 5 different canyons, go horseback riding, take a boat ride on Kel-Suu Lake, swim in Issyk-Kul Lake, and take photos with Poseidon and Zeus.
Every day we will arrive at a new location and go trekking to a mountain lake or canyon, and in the evening we will return to a cozy guesthouse, where delicious national food and the warm hospitality of local residents will be waiting for us.
I guarantee that every day you will see new, incredibly beautiful locations — and even when it feels like you’re already overwhelmed with emotions and natural beauty, I will surprise you again and again.

Route locations

Bishkek – Issyk-Kul Lake – Kulambel Pass – panoramic view of the lake – beach – Zeus and Poseidon – Kochkor – Kel-Ukok Lake – Khan Salyk Canyon and Ak-Kel Lake – Kokomeren River – Kara-Keche Pass and Son-Kul Lake – Terskey Topok Pass and Teshik Canyon – Naryn – Kel-Tor Lake – Kyndy Pass – Kel-Suu Lake – Naryn – Kichi Naryn Canyon – Balykchy – Kok-Moynok Canyon – Chu River Canyon – Manas Airport

Transport & guide

We use comfortable Mercedes Sprinter minibuses. Drivers are highly experienced in mountain driving and ensure safety.
The driver is also the guide: explaining locations, trekking with you, showing the most beautiful spots, handling accommodation, logistics, timing, meals, and fulfilling any reasonable requests.

Meals

Breakfasts are included.
The lunches are mostly in the mountains, where there are no cafés. We prepare picnic lunches: sandwiches, pâté, fresh vegetables and fruits, cookies and sweets, hot tea from thermoses, jam, and honey.
Sometimes lunch is at a café — any dishes and non-alcoholic drinks from the menu are included.
Dinners in yurt camps on days 2, 3, and 5 are included. Café dinners on days 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8 are not included.

Introduction to the culture

During the trip, we will introduce you to the culture of Central Asia's nomadic peoples.

We will visit the museum of national culture, listen to traditional music and songs, communicate with nomads in their ordinary life, stay overnight in an authentic Kyrgyz yurt, ride horses and see how food is cooked on fire.

Program

Day 1.

Departure from Bishkek at 9:00 AM. We head to the town of Balykchy. We will drive through the Boom Gorge, leave the asphalt road, and ascend to the Kulambel Pass (3,350 m). From here, a panoramic view of Issyk-Kul Lake opens up.
After a short walk and photo session, we will continue to a café for lunch. After lunch, we will stop at the beach, swim in Issyk-Kul Lake, and take photos with Zeus and Poseidon standing on the shore at the water’s edge.
After all the activities, we will drive to Kochkor, check into a guesthouse, and have dinner.

Day 2.

After breakfast, we head to the mountain lake Kel-Ukok. We will go up the gorge and begin trekking. Distance: 8 km Elevation gain: 450 m
We will walk along the lake shore, take many beautiful photos, have lunch, descend lower into the gorge, see a small waterfall, and return to the vehicle.
We then return to the guesthouse. In the evening, you will attend a felt-making master-class, and national dinner Beshbarmak will be prepared.

Day 3.

Breakfast and back on the road. On day 3, we will visit Khan Salyk Canyon and drive along the turbulent Kokomeren River.
We trek to Ak-Kel Lake: Distance: 6 km Elevation gain: 250 m
Lunch by the lake, then we return to the vehicle and head toward Kara-Keche Pass. After crossing the pass, we reach our destination for the day — Son-Kul Lake.
Accommodation in yurts, dinner, and rest. After dark, we will observe the starry sky — such a night sky exists nowhere else!

Day 4.

In the first half of the day, we go horseback riding with an experienced guide. The guide will give a full briefing on how to handle and ride a horse, help you mount, and accompany you on the ride. Duration: 2 hours
After the ride, we will drive to Naryn city. On the way, we will stop for a photo session at the stunning Terskey Topok Pass, also known as “33 Parrots.”
Next is Teshik Canyon. We trek to the canyon: Distance: 6 km Elevation gain: 250 m
Lunch, then by evening we arrive in Naryn. Accommodation in a guesthouse, dinner at a café.

mountain ranges of Kyrgyzstan

Day 5.

Breakfast and back on the road. Today, we will visit Kel-Tor Lake and reach a yurt camp in the Kok-Kiya River valley.
Drive time to Kel-Tor: about 2.5 hours, with many scenic stops for photos. Before reaching the lake, we leave the vehicle and start trekking: Distance: 6 km Elevation gain: 300 m
We walk along the lake, have lunch, return to the vehicle, and continue toward Kel-Suu Lake. Arrival at the yurt camp, dinner, and rest.

Day 6.

Early breakfast. Today we trek to Kel-Suu Lake: Distance: 15 km round trip Elevation gain: 350 m
At the lake, we take a boat ride, visit a cave, and take many vibrant photos.
We return to the yurt camp, have lunch, then drive to Naryn. Accommodation in a guesthouse and dinner at a café.

Day 7.

We travel through the incredibly beautiful Kichi Naryn Canyon. A roaring river along the road, cliffs covered with Tian Shan spruce, and snowy mountain peaks — all of this can be seen only here.
The drive takes the entire day, with photo stops and short walks. Lunch by a mountain river.
By evening, we arrive at our hotel, check in, and rest. Dinner at a café

Day 8.

Our final day. Departure no later than 8:00 AM.
First stop: Kok-Moynok Canyons. We drive to the canyons and explore labyrinths of red clay. A couple of hours walking, then lunch at a café.
After lunch, a short walk in the Chu River Canyon (no more than 30 minutes).
Return to the vehicle and drive to the airport. Arrival at 15:00, check-in, and departure home.
If you are not flying out this day, we will take you to your chosen hotel in Bishkek and transfer you to the airport the next day, 3 hours before your flight.

Information

Price and what it includes

8-9 persons 1099 $ – per 1 person

Price Includes

Transportation for the entire trip
● Group guide-driver for the whole tour
● Accommodation in hotels and yurt camps (7 nights, breakfast included)
● Felt-making master class
● Entrance fees to gorges and nature reserves
● Border permit for Kel-Suu Lake
● All breakfasts and lunches during the tour
● Dinners in yurt camps on days 2, 3, and 5
● Horseback riding and guide at Son-Kul Lake
● Bottled water (1 liter per day)
● Border permit processing

Not included

Alcohol
● Flights
● Insurance
● Single accommodation
● Horses at Kel-Suu Lake
● Boat ride at Kel-Suu Lake
● Dinners at cafés on days 1, 4, 6, 7, and 8
● Overnight stay in Bishkek on the final day

Send me your details

Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Akhunbayeva str., 119/7

susanintours@gmail.com